Trench-excavator.



'110. 890,791. .4 PATENTBD JUNE 16, 1'908.

- G. W. PARSONS.

vTRENLGH BXcAvAToR.-

APPLICATION FILED HAB. 5. i906.

e SHEETS-snm 1.

lvm-890,791. PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908.

G. w. PARSONS.

' TRENCH EXGAVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED 1413.5. 190B. SHEET-s SHEET 2* 110.2390391. PATENTBD JUNE 16,1908.

G.W.V1 ARS0NS.

TRENGH EXGAVATOR.

Y APPLIGATION HLpD MAR. 5, 19de.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

No. 990,791. Y PATBNTBD JUNE 161909.

9. W. PARSONS. A

TRENGH BXGAVATOR.

APPLIGATIQN H LED MAE. s. 199e.

e SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. 890,791. PATBNTBD JUNE 16, 1908. G. w. PARSONS.

'FRENCH EXCAVATOR.

APPLIGATION FILED MAR. 5. 1906.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

No. 890,791. PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908. G. W. PARSONS.

TRENGH BXGAVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 5. 1906.

B SHEETS-SHEET 6.

No. 990,791. PATBNTBD JUNE 19, 1909.

9. W. PARSONS. TRENGH BXGAVATOR. APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 5. 1906.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

R.. o0 T w m 11 H E T M .m R1 .0. STA www M MAD GE .BXL PBH .HN WMM4 GBM RL Tn A mechanisms employed i todrive, control andj adjust the digger and machine proper asV illus- GEORGEW. PARSONS, OF NEWTON,

IOWA, ASSIGNOR TO THE G. W. NEWTON, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF IOWA.

PARSONS COMPANY, or

TnENcHmxcAv-aroa.

Specification of Letters Patent.

` Patented `June16,"1^908.

Applicationmea March 5, 1906. serial No. 304,197.

, To all whom, it 'may concern:

Be it known-that I, 'GEORGE W. PARSONS, a citizen of 'the United States, 'residing at Newton, inthe county of Jasper and State of ylowa, have invented a new and useful Trench-Excavator, of which the following is a specification. Y The object of-this invention is to providel an lmproved trench excavator.

A further object is'to provide an improved construction of endless diggers. v

means-for carrying and alti-tudinally adjusting the digger.

A, further lobject is to -provide a novel means for mounting steering apparatus for machines of vthis class.:

- My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of a motor carrying frame, an auxiliary frame having diggingmechanism thereon and the various trated in the' accompanying drawings,l in which- Figure 1 is an elevation of thecomplete machine. Fi 2-is a plan, partlyin section, of a portion o the machine pro er. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the means or tilting the digger frame relative tothe tractor. Fig. 4

-is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in 3 with the wheels and frames-removed.

Fig. 5 1s an elevation of the lower endof the digger frame with a section of the digger thereon, partly in section. Fig. 6 is a view of the digging mechanism,removedsfrom the frame. Fig. 7-is a sectional elevation of the upper end of the dig ing mechanism and frame. .Fig. 8 is an e evation of the` drum and gearing'for raisingI and lowering the digger frame. 9 is a vertical, sectional elevationof the mechanism for -reversing the steering gear. Fig. 10 is a plan of a lportion of the means for raising and lowerlng the diggerframe. Fig. 1.1 is a detail plan of the steering apparatus. Fig. 12 illustrates a truck forcarrying a digger-frame, when 1n `digging position. 'F-ig. 13 is an elevation of a' conveyer whichreceives earth from the digger and carries it laterally to discharge.

.an auxiliary diggery frame to the machine spro er, whereby thel digger` frame-may be ti te 14 -isaplan of the `conveyerand operating parts. Fig. 15 is a detail viewy of the means for connectingthe front truck to Athe .machine .proper- Fig. '16 shows the connection of the truckfor-supportingfthe di ger frame with the machine proper.

l n the construction of the machine-herein describedand claimed, I employ a tractor specially-designed for excavating trenches,

having the means for controlling-its operating partsin such-relation to a position'there- A further object is to'provide an improved.

on from Which-the o erator may at-all times and the various mechanisms. A nd, -a digger arranged in a separateframe pivotally mountedonthe rear end of the tractor frame, the controlling and-adjusting parts of which are Idisposed on the tractor frame 'accessible to the operator.

yIn the drawings 10 designates the frame of the tractor, 11 and 12-the rear wheels and 13 and 14 the forward wheels thereof. The rear this instance .two vertica as the one 15 shown inf'Fi 1 are employed.

As shown in Fi 2 a s aft 16 is connected with the engines y means of the cranks 17 and 18. A lclutch v19 of' common form is feathered tothe -shaftl and arranged to engage, at times, the ear wheel 20, loosely mounted on said sha t which gear Wheel 20 meshes with the Wheel 21 on the shaft .22. A gear wheel 23 on the shaft22 mesheswith the compensating gear 24 on the shaft .25. Toothed .wheels 26, .27 are mounted on Athe shaft 25 andmesh withgearrims 28, 29 fixed to the inner margins ofthe Wheels 11 and 12. The steering apparatuscompri-ses a shaft steam engines, such 30,having thereon a-sprocket'wheel 31 em-I braced by a chain 32 which also embraces a sprocket Wheel 33 on the shaft 16. Two c utah-members 34 .and 35.are feathered on' the .shaft 30. and arranged to engage, respectively, the members 36 and 37. Bevel-gears 38 and 39 are formed'integral Withthemembers 36 and 37 and mesh with a bevel gear 40 on a shaft 41. .Formed on, or fixed to the forward end of the shaft 41 is `a fworm 42 which en ages-aseirmental Worm Wheel 43 connectewith the front truck. y 4

A second means for moving the machine is provided for when it is desired to advance at slowtraction, .which means operates .in-conpivotal `wheels11and'12 are in. ear with a motor, in

junction with reversing mechanism and comprises a friction clutch 44 onthejshaft'164 which enga'es the sprocket wheel 45. A chain 46 em races the wheel 45 and a wheel 47 which is mounted on a stub shaft '48.- Formed on or xed to the shaft 48 is a worm' 49 in -mesh with a worm-wheel 50. The wheel 50 is mounted on a shaft 51 sup` orted in bearings52 xed to the machine rame.

Loosely mounted on the shaft 51 are two bevel gear wheels 53 and 54 arranged to be l acted on alternately by clutch mechanism 55 feathered to the shaft. The bevelgars 53 l and 54 are in mesh with a bevel wheel 56 mounted on a shaft 57. A 15 preferably constructed of angle "iron, in skelel ton form, and of substantially triangular shape in side elevation having a rectangular upper, or main, portion, made upof four longitudinal angle irons 60 connected 4by the ver- Y tical risers 61 are provided with a series of holes 65 through' -aus -' wit A bearing 62 is secured to the risers 61 by means of the angle-irons 63 and struts 64 extended forwardly and upwardly connect the bearing 62 to the lower, rearward end ofthevmain frame. The angle irons 63 which bolts 66 are passed and provide a means Afor adjusting the frame to various -l'englthss- The struts 64. are also provided holes 67 and bolts 68 for varying their lengths. Sprocket wheels' 69 are `mounted in the bearings 6 2 and embraced by chain belts70 which also embrace the sprocket wheels 71 in the forward risers 61 and the sprocket wheels 72 in the rearward risers of the upper frame. j between and ixed to the chain belts 70 by means'of the links 74. The shovels 73 are formedwith oblique projections extending in .front of one or the other-of belts 70,. As

shown in ig. 5 the shovels 7 3 are arranged to loosen the earth and direct or discharge it,

into the buckets 7 5. The buckets 75 arearranged in series between the shovels 73 and areU-shaped and secured to the chains 70 by being riveted to the special links 77 forming parts of said chains. Other buckets 76 are of the same design as the buckets 75 except for the provision of rear Walls 79 designed to hold the earth during the upward travel of the chains, and said buckets 76 follow the Series of buckets 75 andv are spaced aconsiderable. distance from the nextrfollo shovel 73. The upper ends of the sides of the buckets-are tapered at' 78 jto permit movement around the sprocketwheels as ShowninFigs. 5 and 7.. f I

the tractor.

Shovels 73 are arranged at intervals An apron 80 is secured to the .upper -frame and is curved atits forwardjend to conform to the path of travel of the up er ends of the buckets and arranged to hold t e earth in the buckets and direct it to a point of discharge.

A .trussed frame 81 is secured to the rear ends of the angle irons 60 of the main, upper,

frame and arranigld to carry a follower or shield 82. -The notion of'which shield is to-direct such earth as may lbe carried on the shovels over the pointof discharge tothe bottom of the trench from whence it is again carried upwardly bythe shovels. Thus the trench is ke t at all times free from loose clods 'of eart j v A, A conveyer 83 is mounted in the frame of the digger on the longitudinal angle irons 6.v

As shown in Figs. 13 'and 14 shafts 84 and 85 are mounted in the end portions of the bars 86 and 87 which are mounted onand secured.

to the angle irons 6() by the standards 88.

Sprocket' wheels 89 are mounted on the n shafts 84 and 85 and are embraced by endless chain belts 909 Flat metal lates 91 having `upturned ends92 are secure to and between the chain belts 90. This means provides a strong and .durable conveyer for recelving earth from the apron 80 and digger buckets 75 76 and removing it laterally from thermalchine to ,dischar e.

A sprocket w eelv 93 is mounted on the shaft 1n theforward risers 6 1 of the di ger frame and is embraced by a chain 94 w ch also embraces a wheel 95 on the frame 10 of The wheel 95 is in gear with the vshaft 22 by means of thesprocket gear 95a.

Fixed in bearings 96 on the angle iron 60 is a shaft 97 having thereon a beve gear wheel'98 which meshes with a wheel99 on-the shaft that carries the di ger chain and sprocket wheel 93. A sproc et wheel on the shaft 97 Ais in. gear with a Wheel 100 on theshaft 8 5 of.

the endless conveyer.'

The digerframe is connected with they frame of t e tractor by four angle irons arota y connected with the upper ends of the risers 61 and;1 the lower palr 102' pivotally connectedvwith the lower ends of the risers 61. The lower ends of the angle irons 101 raned in pairs, the upper pair 1 01 being piv-- i and 102 are pivotally connected with a tilting apparatus, mounted on the rear axle of thetractor (as shown in Fig. 3).

The tiltingA applaratus comprises a frame 103, arrangedto eoscillated1aterally,'sup ported in al bearing 104 iixed to the axle of the tractor. Shafts 105 and 106 are su ported v-in'the frame 103 to which the ang e l lrons 101 and 102 are journaled. A Worm gear 107 supported in bearings 108 on the up,- per end of t e frame 103 jarran ed to be o erated by means'of the hand vw eel 109 ism meshwith a worm gear-110 formed, on,g `or xed'to,'the frame 103. Thistilting'appa-v ratus is provided for, ill-cases where the ma- 139 ger frame when in working position.

i onashaft 12 i vthe tractor frame.

chine is operated on. uneven surfaces. It being necessary'to the greatest efficiency of the digger to maintain itin a vertical position.

A wheeled truck 111, pivotally connected with the rear end of the frame 10 of the tractor, is provided with a socket 112 designed to receive a ball' 113 on the lower end of a rack bar 114. The rack bar 114 is provided with flanges and is arranged to mesh with a pinion 115 on a shaft 116 in a bearing 117 on the angle irons 102. The rack bar is held in mesh with the pinion by means of collars arranged on either side of the pinion having lugs which embrace the ilanges of the rack bar as shown in 10.

The truck 111, through the rack bar l114 .b

and pinion 115 is designed to support the dig- The means for vertically adjusting the digger frame and wheeled support comprises a drum 118 on the shaft 116 and a rope or cable 119.l rIfhe rope is Wound about the drum 118 and a second drum 120 mounted on a shaft 12'1in bearings 122 on the tractor frame 10. The shaft 121 upon which the drum 120 is mounted is rovid'ed at one end with a worm Wheel 123 (Eig. 8) in mesh with a worm 124 A bevel wheel 126 is mounted on the shaft 125 and meshes alternately with bevel Wheels 127 and 128 supported on a shaft 129 mounted in bearings 130. Each of the wheels 127, 128` is rovided with a clutch member 131 adapted to co-act with clutch mechanism 132 keyed to the shaft 129. Motion is imparted to the shaft 129 through sprocket-gearing 133 connected with the engme shaft 16.

v A means additional to. the tilting appa- Vra'tus described, for maintaining the digger frame in proper working position, is arranged in connection with the forward Wheels 13 of As shown in Fig. 15 the Wheels 13 are'mount'ed on anaxle 134, having forwardly and .stubs 135. To the ends. of the stubs 135 is xed a member 1361 having a reduced upper end137/supported in the frame' 10 in the bearing 138. The member 136 and stubs 135` are substantially the same as theordinaryuniversal-joint. Thesteering apparatus shown in Fig. 11 is secured to th y 137 ofthe member 136. Thus it is obvious i the front-truck may be rotated relative to the frame 10, as required to steer the machine and the frame 10 is mamtained in a horizontal plane as required to reduce to a minimum lateral'motions ofthe tractorframe.

Having thus described my invention, what I cl'aim as new therein and desire to secure by L etters Patent of the United States there- Y for, 1 s

1. In a trench excavator, a tractor, digging mechanism carrled by the tractor and Y `means for tilting the ldigging mechanism relative to the tractor.

I frame, dig

rearwardly projectinge upper endv 2. In a trench excavator, a tractor, digging mechanism carried by the tractor, means for tilting the digging mechanism relative to the tractor and means for raising and lowering the digging mechanism.

3. In a trench excavator, a tractor, digging mechanism carried by the tractor, means for tilting the digging mechanism relative to the tractor, means for raising and lowering ythe digging mechanism and means for supporting same in various positions.

4. In a -trench excavator, a tractor, a frame carried by the tractordigging mechanismsupported in the frame and means connecting thetractor and digger frame'wherey they may b e tilted relative to each other.

5. In a trench excavator, a tractor, a frame, digging mechanism supported in the frame, tilting mechanism arranged to oscil- 'latelaterally of the. tractorV and means for I connecting the tractor and frame.

`6. In a trench excavator, a tractor, a ging mechanism supported in the `frame, tilting mechanism arranged to oscillate laterally of the tractor and arms for connecting the frame an'd tilting mechanism'.

7. YIn av trench. excavator, a tractor, a frame, digging mechanism supported 'in the frame, tiltmg mechanism arranged to oscillate laterally of the tractor, arms for connecting the frame and tilting mechanism and means for operating the tilting mechanism.`

8. In a trench excavator, a tractor, a frarne, digging. mechanism supported in the frame, an upright iixed to the tractor, tilting mechanism ivoted to the tractor, arranged to oscillatef aterally, means for connecting -v the upright and tilting mechanism, means for moving the tilting mechanism relative to the upright and means for connecting the diggerframe to the tilting mechanism.

-9. In a trench excavator, a tractor, an upright fixed to the tractor, a second upright pivoted to the tractor, means for oscillating thesecond upright relative to the first upright, a digger frame and means for connectinghthe digger frame with' the second uprig t. v

10. In aUtrench excavator, a tractor, an upright iixed to the tractor, a second upright pivoted'to the tractor, a worm Wheel carried by the first upright, a rack carried by the second upright, means for operating the worm, a digger. frame and mean's for'connectingh the digger frame with the second uprig tu 11. In a trench excavator, a tractor, an u right iixed to the tractor, a second up-A rig t pivoted to the tractor, means for oscillating the second upright laterally relative to the first upright, bearings on the second upright, arms supportedl 0n the bearings and a digger frame carried by the arms.

12. In a trench excavator, a tractor, an upright fixed to the tractor, a second upright pivoted to the tractor, means formoving the second upright relative to the iirst upright,l shafts carried by the second upright, arms supported by the shafts, a frame carried by the arms and an endless chain digger carried by the frame.

13. In a trench excavator,` a tractor, a

)frame carried by the tractor, means for tilting the frame relative to the tractor, means for raising and lowering the frame, means for supporting the frame at various heights and digging mechanism carried by the frame.

14. In a trench excavator, a tractor, a frame carried by the tractor, means for tilt- .ing the frame relative to the tractor, means for raisingand lowering the crame, means for supportingthe frame at various heights, digging mechanismcarried by the frame, and

vvmeans for receiving earth from the digging mechanism `and conveying it away from the machine.

15. In a trench excavator, a tractor, a lframe'carried by the tractor, endless chains supported in the frame, shovelsA carried by the chains, buckets carriedby the chains to 4 receive earth'from the shovels and means for automatically dumping the buckets.

dless'chains sup orted in the frame, sectional buckets carrie by the chains-and means for dumping thebuckets.

18. In a trench excavator, a frame, endv less chains supported in the frame, shovels carried by the chainsv and sectional Abuckets` ,composed of iiat metal lstrips having upf turned ends carried by the chains.

19. In atrench excavator, a frame, chains supported in' the frame, sectional buckets 1 carried by the chains com osed of flat metal strips having upturned en s and a section of the bucket having upturned ends and closed at its, rear.

20. In a trench excavator, a ramechains supported in thai-rame, links carried b the chains, shovels iixed to the links an sectional buckets .carriedby the chains.v

' 21. lIn a trench excavator,a frame, chains supported in the frame, buckets carried by the chains composed of iiat metal strips having upturned, tapered ends.

22. In a trench excavator, a frame,

sprocket wheels mounted in the frame, chainsl to..ernbrace the sprocket wheels, sectional buckets'carried by the chains, each section of which'comprises a fiat bottom and upturned ends, the u turned ends being tapered fand rovided Wit means for attachment to the c ains:

conveyer and a fo 23; In a trench excavator, a frame, 6 s rocket wheels. mounted inl the frame,

`c ains embracing thesprocket wheels,

shovels and bucketssecured to the chains and a follower or shield secured to the frame. 24. In a trench excavator, a frame, s rocket wheels mounted in the frame, c ains embracing the sprocket wheels, shovels and buckets carriedby the chains, a conveyer carried by the frame, means for automatically dum ing the buckets over the owe'r or shield carried by the frame.` l

25. In a trench excavator, a frame, wheels mounted in the frame, chains embracing the wheels, shovels and buckets carried b the chains arranged to, dig and carry eart u wardly and an apron arranged to receive t e earth from the' buckets.

26. .In a trench excavator, a frame, s rocket wheels mounted in the frame, c ains Y.embracing the fs rocketv wheels', buckets carried by the c rains, yan aron mounted on the frame to receive earth om the buckets when the same are inverted in passing around one of the sprocket wheels and a conveyer.

27. ,In a trench excavator, a frame, sprocket Wheels mounted in the ends of the frame, chains embracing the sprocket wheels, buckets carried by the chains, means whereby the buckets are dumped upon the apron and means f or removing the earth from the apron. v A

28. In a -trench excavator, a frame, sprocket wheels mounted in the frame, c ains embracing the sprocket wheels, each chain engaged by three sprocket wheels and thereby arranged t'o travel -in 'a triangular course ,bu ckets carried by the chains, arranged to carry earth upwardly and discharge when inverted, an apron mounted-inthe frame, arranged to receive earth from the` inverted buckets and direct 'it to means for dischargingithe earth from the machine. 29. Ina trench excavator,- a frame substantially triangular in lside elevation, s rocket wheels mounted at the corners of .t e frame, chains embracing the sprocket wheels, buckets carried' by the chains, ar-

ranged to carry earth upwardly and dis- 1'. I charge when inverted to travel over the horizontal course of their path.

. 30. In a trench excavator, a frame, wheels mounted in the frame, chains embracing the wheels, buckets carried by the chains, a con- 1 veyer mounted on the frame, means to direct the earth carried by the buckets to the conveyer, a 'shield or followerarranged to Ifollow the buckets in the trench and direct loose earth to the buckets where it is 'again necting the frame with a tractor. 31.. In a trench excavator, a tractor, arms 12 'carriedto the conveyer and means for conpivoted to the tractor, a digger frame carried by the arms, a shaft mounted in bearings on the arms, a drum and pinion on the shaft, a-

truck pivoted tothe tractor, a rack bar carried by the truck, in mesh with the pinion, and means for rotating the drum and pinion.

.32. In a trench excavator,a tractor, arms pivoted to the' tractor, a digger frame carried by the arms, agfsltaft'mountedin bearings on the arms, a drum and p inionon the shaft, a truck pivoted to the tractor, a rack bar carried by the truck in mesh with the pinion, a drum on the tractor and a rope or cable arranged to be wound on the drums. i

` 33. In atrench excavator, a tractor, arms pivoted to the tractor, a digger frame carried by the'arms, a shaft mounted in bearings on the arms, a drum, inio'n and locking\device on the shaft, a trucE pivoted to the tractor, a rack-bar carried by `the truck, in mesh with the pinion, a drum on the tractor, a rope or cable wound about said drums and means for rotating the drum on the tractor.

34. In a trench excavator, a tractor, arms pivoted to the tractor, a digger frame carried by the arms, a shaft mounted in bearings in the arms, a drum, inion and locking device on the shaft, a truc pivoted to the tractor, a rack-bar pivoted to the truck and in mesh with the pinion, a drum on the tractor, a

rope or cable wound about said drums', means for rotating the drum on the tractor and means for reversingthe motion of the drum on the'tractor.

35. In a trench excavator, a tractor,a digger frame carried. by the tractor, means for tilting the digger frame'in relation to the tractor, means for altitudinally adjusting the digger frame and changeablel sjeed gears connected with the tractor. L

36. In a trench excavator, a tractor, a digger frame carried by the tractor, means for tilting the digger frame in yrelation to the tractor, means or altitudinally adjusting the digger frame, means for locking the frame'in various positions, and changeable speed gears connected with the tractor.

37. Ina trench excavator, a tractor, a diggerframe carried by the tractor, means for tilting the digger frame inrelation to the tractor, means for altitudin'ally .adjusting the digger frame, means for locking the digger frame in various positions, changeable speed gears connected with the tractor and a manuframe in various positions, changeable speed gears connected wlth the tractor, a manually controlled, power operated steering aparatus and means for connecting the tractor flame with the front truck whereby it may tilt `relative to the truck.

39. In a trench excavator, a tractor, a digger frame connected with the tractor, means for tilting the digger frame in relation to the tractor, means for altitudinally adjusting the digger frame, means for locking the digger frame in various positions, changeable speed gears connected with the tractor, a manually controlled, power operated steering apparatus and a universal joint connection be tween the front truck and tractor.

4U. In a trench excavator, a tractor frame, a motor carried by said frame, a wheeled truck for supporting the forward end of the frame, a universal joint connecting the truck and frame, a manually controlled, power o perated steering apparatus connected with t e front truck, a Vdigger frame carried by the tractor frame, means for tilting the digger frame in relation to the tractor frame, means connected with the motor for raising and lowering the digger frame and means vfor locking thev digger frame in various positions.

41. In a trench excavator, a tractor frame, a motor carried on. the frame, a wheeled truck for supporting the forwardend of the frame, a universal joint .connecting the truck and frame, `a manually controlled., power op-v I ervated steering a paratus connected with the fronttruck, a `gger frame carried by the tractor frame, means for tilting the digger frame in relation to the tractor frame, means for raisin and vlowering the digger frame,l means for ocking the digger frame in various prositions, digging mechanism on the digger ame," aconveyer on the digger frame and changeable speed gear for advancing the tractor frame.

GEORGE W. PARSONS. In presence of GEO. F. LAMBERT, R. G. ORwIG. 

